[RideApart] - Triumph Bonneville Bobber: What Do You Want to Know?

[Ninjette Newsbot]

Triumph Bonneville Bobber: What Do You Want to Know?

I’m in sunny Madrid this week for the launch of the ultra-sexy Triumph Bonneville Bobber. I’ll be writing up a review of the stylistically on-point machine soon but want your help in doing my job: What do you want to know about this new motorcycle?

The Bobber was first unveiled in October at a big London event that featured drag racing, a rock band, and hundreds of Triumph enthusiasts. The bike had been in the planning for quite a while, and Triumph’s dedication to capturing the classic bobber look is a sign it has always been a key part of Triumph’s plans for the future. The Bobber shares the same 1200cc parallel-twin powerplant as the Bonneville T120 and Thruxton, but this seems more than a styling exercise.


Indeed, at the bike’s unveiling, journalists were told the engine had been tweaked to deliver a more torque-rich performance. Exact torque numbers may not come for a while; it’s common for Triumph to not share too many facts and figures with journos at a press ride, preferring to let the bikes speak more to the heart than the analytical brain.

Capturing the classic 1940s bobber look better – in my opinion – than any other production attempt (e.g., Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight, Victory Gunner, or Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber), the Bonneville Bobber is a thoroughly modern machine featuring liquid-cooling, ABS, ride-by-wire, torque-assist clutch, switchable traction control, and multiple riding modes. Heated grips and cruise control are available as accessories.


Meanwhile, although Triumph insists otherwise – saying it expects the Bobber to sell well in a number of markets – I think you and I know the British marque has clearly targeted U.S. riders with this model. Indeed, the company has developed a number of accessories for the bike that will only be available in the United States.

And it’s clear, too, that Triumph has big hopes for this machine. Consider how it was revealed: a massive, expensive, and raucous event that was livestreamed around the world. Triumph didn’t do that sort of thing for the recent unveilings of the Bonneville T100, Street Cup, or Street Scrambler. The proof will be in the riding as to whether the Bobber is worthy of its*hype.


So, what else do you want to know about the bike? Hit me with your questions and I will do my best to answer them in my forthcoming First Ride report.

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